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"Soccer Kicking."
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The ball kicking speed: A new, efficient performance indicator in youth soccer
Success in different soccer skills like kicking depends on motor abilities achieved. Kicking is a soccer fundamental, which depends on many different and complex factors (technique, foot-ball interaction, ball flight, etc.). Therefore, it is important to identify players that are able to perform faster kicks using both dominant and non-dominant leg. The current study investigated some basic variables of different soccer kicking speed and their relevance to success in youth soccer academy. 119 players from the first and the second division participated to this study. They were randomly divided into age groups (U-15, U-17, and U19) and team status (first team, reserves). The diagnostic ability of the different ball kicking speed tests in capturing differences between first team players and reserves among different age categories were computed using the receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results demonstrated that first team players achieved better results when comparing to reserves in each category. In addition, differences were greater in the U-15 and the U-17 than in the U-19 age group. In conclusion, ball kicking speed could be one of the possible identification tools to evaluate players' success in youth soccer.
Journal Article
The trunk is exploited for energy transfers of maximal instep soccer kick: A power flow study
The purpose of this study was to investigate the angular kinetic energy transfers and expenditure among the trunk (bisegmented), the pelvis and the kick limb during maximal soccer instep kicking, and to characterize kicking kinetics and kinematics. Eighteen adult male amateur soccer players (24.0 ± 4.1 years old) were assessed. Three-dimensional kinematics and ground reaction force were measured. A 6-degrees-of-freedom model was assumed, comprising the upper trunk, lower trunk, pelvis, thigh, shank and foot, and the thoraco-lumbar, lumbo-pelvic, hip, knee, and ankle joints. Angular kinematics and joint moments were computed. Power flow analysis was done by calculating the joint powers (to describe joint-to-segments energy transfers) and the proximal and distal segment powers (to describe segment-to-segment transfers). Power, kinematic and kinetic time series were presented to describe the energy flows’ directions. The total mechanical energy expenditure (TMEE) at each joint was also calculated. The TMEEs pointed to substantial energy expenditure at the trunk (27% of the summed work produced by the analyzed joints). In the initial phases of kicking, the trunk generates downward energy flows from the upper to the lower trunk and from the lower trunk to the pelvis, and then to the lower limb, sequentially, which favors angular motions for ball contact. There is a formation and release of a tension arc only at the hip joint, and deceleration of the segments slightly sooner than ball contact, differently from theoretical accounts. There are energy flows, hitherto unknown, among the trunk, pelvis and kick limb, revealing mechanical strategies of kicking.
Journal Article
Biomechanical characteristics and determinants of instep soccer kick
Good kicking technique is an important aspect of a soccer player. Therefore, understanding the biomechanics of soccer kicking is particularly important for guiding and monitoring the training process. The purpose of this review was to examine latest research findings on biomechanics of soccer kick performance and identify weaknesses of present research which deserve further attention in the future. Being a multiarticular movement, soccer kick is characterised by a proximal-to-distal motion of the lower limb segments of the kicking leg. Angular velocity is maximized first by the thigh, then by the shank and finally by the foot. This is accomplished by segmental and joint movements in multiple planes. During backswing, the thigh decelerates mainly due to a motion-dependent moment from the shank and, to a lesser extent, by activation of hip muscles. In turn, forward acceleration of the shank is accomplished through knee extensor moment as well as a motion-dependent moment from the thigh. The final speed, path and spin of the ball largely depend on the quality of foot-ball contact. Powerful kicks are achieved through a high foot velocity and coefficient of restitution. Preliminary data indicate that accurate kicks are achieved through slower kicking motion and ball speed values. Key pointsSoccer kick is achieved through segmental and joint rotations in multiple planes and via the proximal-to-distal sequence of segmental angular velocities until ball impact. The quality of ball - foot impact and the mechanical behavior of the foot are also important determinants of the final speed, path and spin of the ball.Ball speed values during the maximum instep kick range from 18 to 35 msec(-1) depending on various factors, such as skill level, age, approach angle and limb dominance.The main bulk of biomechanics research examined the biomechanics of powerful kicks, mostly under laboratory conditions. A powerful kick is characterized by the achievement of maximal ball speed. However, maximal ball speed does not guarantee a successful kick: in each case, the ball must reach the target. As already explained, when the player is instructed to hit the ball accurately, joint and segment velocities are lower as opposed to a fast and powerful kick performance. It is therefore apparent that future research should focus on biomechanics of fast but accurate kicking.
Journal Article
The Effect of Plyometric Training on Power and Kicking Distance in Female Adolescent Soccer Players
Rubley, MD, Haase, AC, Holcomb, WR, Girouard, TJ, and Tandy, RD. The effect of plyometric training on power and kicking distance in female adolescent soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 25(1)129-134, 2011-The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of low-frequency, low-impact plyometric training on vertical jump (VJ) and kicking distance in female adolescent soccer players. Sixteen adolescent soccer players were studied (age 13.4 ± 0.5 years) across 14 weeks. The control group (general soccer training only) had 6 subjects, and the plyometric training (general soccer training plus plyometric exercise) group had 10 subjects. All subjects were tested for VJ and kicking distance on 3 occasionspre-test, 7 weeks, and 14 weeks. Data were analyzed using a 2 (Training) × 3 (Test) analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures on the factor test. No significant difference in kicking distance was found between groups at pre-test (p = 0.688) or 7 weeks (p = 0.117). The plyometric group had significantly greater kicking distance after 14 weeks (p < 0.001). No significant difference in VJ height was found between groups at pre-test (p = 0.837) or 7 weeks (p = 0.108). The plyometric group had a significantly higher VJ after 14 weeks (p = 0.014). These results provide strength coaches with a safe and effective alternative to high-intensity plyometric training. Based on these findings, to increase lower-body power resulting in increased VJ and kicking distance, strength coaches should implement once-weekly, low-impact plyometric training programs with their adolescent athletes.
Journal Article
Comparison of Interlimb Coordination During Soccer Instep Kicking Between Elite and Amateur Players
This study investigates how interlimb joint coordination influences foot speed during soccer instep kicking, using continuous relative phase (CRP) as a quantitative method. The sample includes 15 elite and 15 amateur players to examine potential differences in coordination patterns and their impact on performance. Specifically, we focused on the coordination between hip, knee, and ankle joints in the forefoot‐back kicking motion. Results indicated that elite players exhibited significantly higher hip‐knee CRP in the coronal plane during 62%–81% of movement duration (p = 0.015) and higher knee‐ankle CRP in the vertical plane during 78%–100% (p = 0.013). Moreover, elite players had significantly greater hip‐knee mean absolute relative phase (MARP) and deviation phase (DP) in the coronal plane (p < 0.001), as well as increased knee‐ankle DP (p = 0.04). In the horizontal plane, hip‐knee MARP was also greater in the elite players compared to amateurs (p < 0.001). Further analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between hip‐knee CRP and foot velocity in the sagittal plane (R = −0.66, p < 0.001), whereas a significant positive correlation was observed between knee‐ankle CRP and foot velocity in the horizontal plane (R = 0.56, p = 0.002). These findings suggest that elite players have superior joint coordination, which contributes to a faster foot velocity at the moment of ball impact. Understanding these coordination patterns provides valuable insights into optimizing kicking techniques. The findings of this study suggest that joint coordination may play an important role in enhancing kicking foot speed, which could inform future training approaches aimed at improving soccer performance. Summary Elite players displayed significantly greater hip‐knee coordination in the coronal plane and knee‐ankle coordination in the horizontal plane during the forward swing phase compared with amateurs. Higher coronal‐plane coordination variability in elite players suggests greater joint mobility and adaptability to varying task demands. Foot velocity at ball impact correlated negatively with sagittal‐plane hip‐knee CRP and positively with horizontal‐plane knee‐ankle CRP. Superior joint coordination in elite players may enhance power transfer efficiency, contributing to faster and more accurate instep kicks.
Journal Article
The effects of approach angle on penalty kicking accuracy and kick kinematics with recreational soccer players
Kicking accuracy is an important component of successful penalty kicks, which may be influenced by the approach angle. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of approach angle on kicking accuracy and three-dimensional kinematics of penalty kicks. Seven male amateur recreational soccer players aged (mean ± s) 26 ± 3 years, body mass 74.0 ± 6.8 kg, stature 1.74 ± 0.06 m, who were right foot dominant, kicked penalties at a 0.6 x 0.6 m target in a full size goal from their self-selected approach angle, 30°, 45° and 60° (direction of the kick was 0°). Kicking accuracy and three-dimensional kinematics were recorded. Results revealed that there was no significant difference in kicking accuracy (p = 0.27) or ball velocity (p = 0.59) between the approach angles. Pelvic rotation was significantly greater under the 45° and the 60° approach angles than during the self-selected approach angle (p < 0.05). Thigh abduction of the kicking leg at impact using the 60° approach angle was significantly greater than during the self- selected approach (p = 0.01) and the 30° approach (p = 0.04). It was concluded that altering an individual's self-selected approach angle at recreational level did not improve kicking accuracy or ball velocity, despite altering aspects of underlying technique. Key pointsPenalty kicking accuracy and ball velocity were not improved by altering recreational soccer players' natural approach angle.However, widening the approach angle produced greater pelvic rotation and thigh abduction.Wider approach angles increased the range of motion of the pelvis, opening up the hips before ball contact, creating a greater arc of movement during the backswing and the follow-through.Wider approach angles also led to an increase in thigh abduction at impact, enabling the kicking foot to be placed further under the ball, which may improve ball contact.
Journal Article
Kinematic instep kicking differences between elite female and male soccer players
The rapid rise in female participation in soccer worldwide has not been followed by a corresponding increase in the number of studies biomechanically that target female kicking patterns to determine if differences exist between males and females. The objectives of this study were to examine kinematic instep kicking differences between elite female and male soccer players in dominant and nondominant limbs. Eight elite soccer players, six females and two males, volunteered as subjects in the study. Subjects took a two-step angled approach of 45-60 degrees to a stationary soccer ball positioned between two force platforms and kicked the ball with the instep portion of the foot as hard as possible into netting which was draped from the ceiling. Ball velocity was the dependent variable. We evaluated six additional variables that have previously been shown to be important predictors of instep kicking ball speed. The males generally kicked the ball faster than the females and displayed greater kinematic variables, including maximum toe velocity, ball contact ball velocity, mean toe velocity, mean toe acceleration, and ankle velocity at ball contact, all of which contributed to faster ball speed. There was one exception. One of the elite females kicked faster than the two elite males and demonstrated higher or similar kinematic patterns when compared with the males. Our conclusions were that females do not instep kick the ball as fast as males, but there are exceptions, as our data demonstrates.
Journal Article
Daily watch. How to win a penalty shootout
Penalty shootouts provide some of the tensest World Cup moments. We've crunched the data and teamed up with one of the world's top female footballers to examine the secret of taking the perfect spot kick.
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